MOSCOW / RankWire.AI / – In the first six months of 2026, Russia experienced an influx of 2.5 million international travelers, reflecting a 20.1% increase compared to the same period last year. China remained the top source of foreign visitors, contributing more than 22% of the total foreign arrivals. These latest statistics underline the upward trend in Russia’s inbound tourism from January to June. Nikita Kondratiev, a senior representative of the Russian Ministry of Economic Development, shared these tourism data during discussions in Shenyang, China.
The figures are based on official tourism data, which track foreign visitors staying in collective accommodation across Russia. Rosstat reports that Russians made 43.2 million domestic trips during the first half of 2026, representing a 4.3% growth compared to the same timeframe in 2025. As a result, inbound tourism grew at a faster annual pace than domestic tourism during this period, based on the distinct official metrics used for each category.
During the first half of 2026, China maintained its position as the leading source of foreign visitors to Russia. Travelers from Persian Gulf countries, Turkey, and India were among the other prominent markets. Additionally, international tourists ventured beyond Moscow and St. Petersburg to locations such as Murmansk, Vladivostok, and Kazan. Russian officials also reported the existence of direct international air routes connecting to 34 destinations, including several countries in Asia and the Middle East.
China Dominates Russia’s Foreign Tourist Market
The tourism data was unveiled during a Tourism Council gathering of the Greater Tumen Initiative in Shenyang. Attendees also participated in a seminar focused on inbound tourism opportunities in Northeast Asia. Discussions covered collaborative cross-border projects involving Russia, China, and Mongolia, including efforts related to the historic Great Tea Road tourism corridor, which has progressed into the implementation phase and will encompass approximately 20 Russian regions.
The Russian segment of the Great Tea Road extends from the Far East and Siberia through the Urals and Volga regions, continuing towards Moscow and St. Petersburg. Other tourism initiatives discussed included the connection between Blagoveshchensk and Heihe and development efforts around Vladivostok. Participants also explored the Trans-Siberian Railway, the Lake Baikal area, and scientific tourism linked to the Vostochny Cosmodrome.
Visa-Free Arrivals Expand Between Russia and China
As the flow of visitors increases, travel regulations between Russia and China have been adjusted. Russia has extended visa-free access for eligible Chinese nationals through Dec. 31, 2027, while China has reciprocated by maintaining its visa-free policy for Russian citizens until the same date. According to the Chinese Foreign Ministry, ordinary Russian passport holders can visit China without a visa for up to 30 days for purposes including tourism, business, family visits, exchanges, and transit.
The first-half results reflect a broader rise in cross-border travel between the two nations. Official Chinese data show that 154,200 Chinese tourists traveled to Russia in the first quarter of 2026, marking a 44% year-on-year increase. Russia ranked second among China’s main inbound visitor countries during the first half. The new figures place China at the top of Russia’s foreign tourist market, accounting for more than 20% of the recorded international visitors.